Janet Van De Graaff* Would Love These: Rimmel Show Off Liquid Lip Lacquers

Okay. So, way back in December, a blogger that I just adore posted some swatches of a brand new long-wearing liquid lipstick from Rimmel. The shades were gorgeous, and Rimmel's a good brand, so I was gutted to learn that Apocalips (how cute is that?) were only available in the UK.

Well, fast-forward to last week, when Rimmel released their line of Show Off liquid lip lacquers (read: Apocalips) here in the States. I was so excited, that I ran to my nearest Walgreen's to grab one of these $4.99 beauties before they flew off the shelves!

Okay, okay...I got two. Sue me.

The first one that I picked up was Celestial, which you will not see here because I am a horrible photographer and none of the photos turned out worth a darn. It's a really lovely peachy-beige, if that's any help. The second one, though, was Big Bang, and it's a true red. Seeing as I was just hired to be in an Andrews Sisters tribute group (that's a whole 'nother story), I could definitely use a long-wearing, pin-up red.

Now 50% Blurrier!

The packaging is flat-out cool. It's identical to the UK version, with the exception of the name change. The tube is just shy of cellphone length, and features a faceted cap in black that gradates down to a clear bottom half, which displays the color inside. The Rimmel branding and Show Off name are in silver foil. My one complaint is that the shade name can only be found on the little safety sticker, so you can't peel it off unless you have a fantastic memory for color names. I don't.

You know what red lipstick is great for? Learning that your lips are really asymmetrical.

The Good: The doe-foot application is smooth and even, and the pigmentation is top notch. The product is insanely glossy, and that gloss remains even after blotting (as you can see from the above photo. Yup...that's blotted). Eating and drinking does affect the wear time some, but without eating, and with drinking only through a straw, it can go four hours, easily. Not too shabby for five bucks.

The Not So Good ('Cause It's Not Really Bad): The smell. It smells like aloe vera, which is really strange, since there isn't any aloe vera in it, that I could find. Luckily, that does fade after application, so it's not unbearable. This is also a very drying product. After four hours, my lips were pretty much screaming. You can apply a balm over the lipstick to help with the dryness, but there's a process:

• Apply the balm, which will ball up and remove some of the color in patches.
• Blot off the excess balm, removing the flakes.
• Reapply lipstick over balm.

So, yeah...that part's kind of a pain. There is also some feathering, but that's to be expected with bold colors. You should also exfoliate and moisturize before applying, but again, that's the norm. Also, please bear in mind that, while this is long-wearing, it's still prone to transfer.

I really like this lipstick for those times when you know you're not going to be able to touch-up for a while. Filming, stage work, weddings (just be careful kissing!)...any time you need to look really good for a really long time, but also need to be fairly low-maintenance. Would I wear it every day? God, no! It's way too drying. Will I pick up every color? Not on your life. I'm definitely more of a lip gloss girl, and rarely wear "real" lipstick. Can I recommend this to others? Absolutely.

Final Verdict: This is a lovely product with great staying power and an even greater price tag. Pick up a couple if you're into shiny lipsticks. 7 out of 10.

*For those of you who aren't musical theatre geeks, like myself, Janet Van de Graaff is a character in The Drowsy Chaperone, and she sings a song called "Show Off". The more you know...



I Guarantee *I* Would Be Bigger on the Inside

I'm just going to post this picture and let it speak for itself:

Photo Credit: Mayfaire Moon

I. WANT. ONE. Nikki Cohen, the artist, is one seriously talented lady, and that's just the work in progress. Now, I just need a cool white blouse, some fitted black trousers, a whole lot more self-confidence, twelve jammie dodgers and a fez...

We All Knew It Was Coming

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you--The Inevitable:

Photo Credit (This and Below): Daily Mail

Yeppers. That's the knock-off version of Kate Middleton's wedding gown. It was bound to happen, and it's not as bad as I expected.

I like that it's obviously inspired by the stunning Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen bridal gown, but not a direct copy. So many times, the designer-inspired versions are the same dress, but with cheap fabrics and less embellishment, which, really, just looks tacky. It's like slapping a Coach label on a pleather drawstring bag--you get the expensive label, but everyone knows it's not the real deal. This is a different dress entirely, and I have to applaud that. You still get the look of a corset bodice with lace overlay, and an elegant circle skirt--which were the hallmarks of that now-iconic gown--but the sleeves are shorter, the neckline simplified, the hem raised and the train removed. There's also the addition of a sweet satin sash. It's a much more casual dress, and would, in my opinion, be perfect for an afternoon garden wedding. You could even accessorize with a birdcage veil, or--in true Kate fashion--a small fascinator. Available August 7th, exclusively at Peacocks. Sizes 8-18, approx. $96. If you want one, you'll need to act fast. They expect a quick sell-out.

Support the Bleepidy-Bleep Arts!

Who all watched the Tony's last night? Anyone? Bueller?

Right...so, for all, what, two of you who tuned in, how awesome was Neil Patrick Harris?! For those of you who missed out, the two-time host opened the evening with a show-stopping number--complete with dancing sailors, stewardesses, and (oh, why not?) nuns--that delivered the message: "Broadway! It's not just for gays anymore!" Later, he challenged Hugh Jackman to a musical hosting duel, rode in on the puppet horse from Best Play winner War Horse, and devoted a full thirty seconds to good-natured Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark bashing. Somewhere in the midst of all that, he managed to squeeze in a production number from his stint in the New York Philharmonic's concert version of Sondheim's Company. To finish off the night, he rapped a newly composed recap of the ceremony's events. I.Am.In.Awe.

Of course, the entire evening wasn't all NPH. The theatre junkie in me was positively giddy over numbers from Anything Goes (could Sutton Foster be any more adorable?) and How to Succeed in Business. I was less than impressed by the screechy Sister Act and morose Spiderman numbers, but after Norbert Leo Butz's tour de force performance, I have to check out Catch Me If You Can. The evening's best number, without question, had to be the feel-good anthem "I Believe" from The Book of Mormon. I'll be purchasing that cast album this week, if at all possible (don't judge me. Yes, I work for a church, but I also have a sense of humor. The two are not mutually exclusive). The evening also provided its own unintentional drinking game fodder, as The Motherf***** With the Hat was nominated for several awards, and presenters had to remember to censor the name for television. Most were successful. Others, not so much (Brooke Shields, I'm looking at you).

All in all, the awards rocked this year, and I'm on a performing arts high, right now. In light of that, I give you the goofiest ad I've seen in a while. It's not for a Broadway show (though you can learn about all of the nominated shows and view clips here), which would have made more sense, as I've written two full paragraphs on the Tony Awards...hmmm. Oh well, it's a blog, not the New York Times. We'll live. Instead, it's for the Royal Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet. The British company is utilizing a different space for performances this weekend. Instead of their ususal haunt, The Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, they'll be at the O2 Arena, an enormous dome that plays host to rock concerts and seats 20,000 people. The company's regular attendees might fill 10-20% of that, so the powers-that-be decided to take drastic measures to put some butts in seats. The result: a series of ads that riff on the whole ballet-in-a-rock-arena situation. This first one is funny, informative, and just really enjoyable to watch. It's not "cool", but I got the impression the creators knew that. It's just a hoot and a half, and I hope you like it. The video won't embed, for some reason, but you can find it here.

A Rootin', Tootin' Round-Up

This just made me smile, and I hope it makes your day, too.

Melanie Edgar and Andrew Higgins of Barry, Wales, got married. That, right there, is sweet enough, but I love how they tied the lasso--I mean, knot.

You see, Melanie is not your traditional bride. She wasn't in to the whole "white wedding and tails" kind of ceremony. She wanted to do something unique, and also something that would appeal to the couple's three young children. So, when the stretch limo pulled up to the Civic Registry Office, Melanie stepped out in full cowgirl gear--but not just any cowgirl, mind you. The bride was dressed as Jessie from the Toy Story franchise, and her dashing groom was none other than Sherriff Woody!

It should come as no surprise that Buzz took the role of Best Man. Barrie Edgar, the bride's brother (and Mr. Potatohead) told reporters, “It was no surprise when she wanted a cartoon wedding because she’s certainly not a traditionalist and always aims to stand out from the crowd. Everyone got into the mood and we had an absolutely brilliant time – it was a dream wedding for the kids who couldn’t wait for the day to come so they could get into their costumes."

Here's a picture, courtesy of WalesOnline, of the happy couple and their colorful cast of characters. There are more darling photos on that site (linked above). I wish them the best of luck. Congratulations to the entire Higgins Family!



Melanie and Andrew are center in the cowboy hats. Good luck finding Waldo (yes, he was in attendance).

She's Got Legs! (She Knows How To Use Them)

 

Photo Credit: NuMutant
Karen Gillan as Amy Pond

Karen Gillan is no stranger to the mini-skirt. As Doctor Who's feisty companion, Amy Pond, she's worn her fair share of the fashion staple. Even her introduction on the popular British sci-fi series centered around her mini-skirt and fishnet stockings. I'd wager the show picked up a few more male viewers after that somewhat infamous shot. 


Photo Credit: HunchBlog
The "too sexy" kissogram skirt

Well, if Ms. Gillan isn't already comfortable showing off her gams, she soon will be, as she's just signed on to play Jean Shrimpton, the 1960s cover model many consider responsible for the meteoric rise of ladies' hemlines. The film, We'll Take Manhattan, will air on BBC4, at a date yet to be released. Not to worry, Whovians, Gillan and her lovely legs will be back on Doctor Who when it returns in April.

So, in honor of our Ms. Pond's new gig, here's a mini I think Amy would approve of:

Photo Credit: Macy's

This denim bandage skirt by Material Girl is made from acid wash, denim-look stretch material for a custom fit, and hits mid-thigh. I love the rocker-chic edge to this skirt. Definitely not for the timid! $28.00, Macy's.